Tourism provides around 12.7 million jobs in Indonesia, representing 10.5% of total employment.
“As of the first half of 2020, the tourism industry in Indonesia suffered a loss of around 85 trillion Indonesian rupiah (almost $6 billion USD) in tourism revenue.” Statista
The continued closure of borders to Indonesia is concerning for many local enterprises that rely so heavily on international tourism. Supporting the local Indonesian community is important to us and we wanted to take this opportunity to show some love to the local social enterprises that we admire. Please do follow these awesome brands on social media and look at their fabulous products – many
of them even offer international delivery. #supportlocal
A fair-trade social enterprise, The Seed Basket, is based in Batam, in the Riau province of Indonesia. They run a women’s empowerment enterprise via their Riau Candle company where 100% of profits from each candle purchased support empowering women and local families to create a better future. Stylish and “scentsational” these candles are perfect as gifts or to brighten up your home.
Follow them here: https://www.instagram.com/riaucandleco/
Shop here: https://www.theseedbasket.org/riaucandle
One of the main focuses of Batik Losari is to provide new skills to women, so that they have a source of income close to home. They teach women in their community to make batik using natural dyes and rustic motifs often inspired by their natural surroundings. If you have been following Bawah Reserve you may have seen the face masks available on our online shop, these were made for us by Batik Losari.
Follow them here: https://www.instagram.com/batiklosari
Shop here: https://www.yayasanlosari.org/batiklosari
Waste tyres sit in stockyards, illegal dumping sites, and even rivers. In tropical countries tyres can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes, which lead to nasty diseases like malaria and dengue fever. Indosole re-purpose these indestructible tyres into the soles of some of the most durable footwear around. They are chic and sustainable and come in an array of colours and styles.
Shop here: https://indosole.com
Follow them here: https://www.instagram.com/indosole/4
Anchor Cafe & Roastery in Batam has a seed to cup focus, striving to create transparency and sustainability. They form direct trade relationships with small independent coffee farmers throughout Indonesia. This model rewards the farmers for the quality of their coffee and empowers them to provide for their families. You can be a part of this vision through purchasing Anchor Coffee. Every bag you purchase directly impacts coffee farming communities.
Shop here: https://www.anchorcafeandroastery.com/anchorcoffee
Follow them here: https://www.instagram.com/anchor.cafe.roastery/
Based in Desa Ban, East Bali, this social enterprise has created a thriving business for the community. Through organic farming methods, they grow almost everything used in creating their snacks and treats and provide jobs for over 400 people in East Bali. Most of those jobs are filled by previously unemployed local women who now have a personal source of income and access to education and
professional development. As their company grows they continue to invest back in the local community building schools and starting new social enterprise opportunities.
Follow here: https://www.instagram.com/topiku.co/
Shop here: https://www.eastbalicashews.com
We also wanted to mention these two impressive brands who we think are awesome! While not social enterprises, these two companies are doing amazing things for the environment and for their communities.
Sainbag is a growing Indonesia based company, whose mission is to provide an eco-friendly alternate to plastic bags. Plastic free and made entirely from cassava starch, the bags are biodegradable and soften and dissolve in hot water. They sell a range of bags for groceries to rubbish and pet waste.
Order online here: https://esainbags.com/
Follow here: https://www.facebook.com/SainBagsom-413045859206126/
Topiku creates handcrafted hats and street wear from upcycled and recycled waste materials, salvaged from landfills. Leather scraps are collected from local businesses and then recut into patches and
straps. Fabrics are upcycled directly from garment manufacturers & leftover or deadstock textiles. They also hire from the local community to create their hats and to add the stunning batik on their brims.
Shop here: https://www.topiku.co
Spotted any other up and coming sustainable or eco brands from Indonesia? Please do share them with us. We love to #supportlocal